If you’re looking for ways to get fit in and around Snowdonia and a bit of potentially bad weather is no obstacle for you, you can’t go wrong by entering the Snowdonia Half Marathon for the 6^th of April.

Another great occasion hosted by Run Wales, this serious test of your endurance is in the midst of a bulging schedule for running events in North Wales but it has one thing which is always a lure for visitors any time of year.

One of the most travelled areas in the whole of United Kingdom, Snowdonia never fails to pull in the crowds who want to witness its steep hills, hidden nooks and crannies which are all stunning on the natural landscape. A sparse population in the region lends itself brilliantly to an event like this and there’s sure to be many entrants clamouring for starting positions already.

A follow up to 2013’s edition which drew in 700 runners, 2014’s half-marathon is unlikely to disappoint as there’s fewer places more scenic to huff and puff your way to the finish line than through the Snowdonia National Park. Many runners highlight the tranquillity as a great aid for their running as it gives them focus for the task at hand.

New for this year, the starting piston will now be fired at Llanwrst – a small and pleasant town that is famous for its rich scenery and brilliantly archaic architecture. From here, the gruelling trail will begin and it’s likely to be a stern test of any runner’s capabilities as you finish back at where you started. A good way to practice for a full marathon in the future, perhaps?

If you needed any further incentive, you will be the deserving recipient of a special medal and a t-shirt when you finish. After feedback from runners in previous runners, the organisers have decided to make the course more challenging so expect to have a tough but rewarding run on the 6^th of April from noon.

“a good run” by www.flickr.com/photos/philandpa

License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0